Campaign shows public inside police control room

By Jessica Durston - 22 July 2021

CommunityCrime

Wiltshire Police will hand its social media accounts to control room staff to show the public its volume of daily calls.

As part of its Click or Call campaign, the force will share its call volumes, stories and advice connected to the thousands of calls it receives every day. 

The social media takeover will start just after midnight on Saturday 24 July and will run for 24 hours.

To follow the social media updates, the public can search for Wiltshire Police on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn and follow #ClickorCall.

Chief Inspector Doug Downing, who runs the contact centre, said: “I think most people would be surprised to see the number of calls we take and, with this being the first weekend post-lockdown, we are expecting it to be a busy one.

“My teams are always here when you need us and we will pick up the phone night or day but we need everyone to think before you dial – can I click to access the services I need online or do I need to call?

“If you are able to report an incident or access the information you need on our website, you will be playing your part in reducing our growing demand.”

The force estimate that it receives almost 100,000 calls to the 999 number, and that more than 50% are not urgent. The police stress that for non urgent calls, 999 is not the right method of contact. For urgent crime, 999 must be called but for everything else, the force ask members of the public to start online. 

A Wiltshire Police spokesperson said: "In no way do we want to discourage our communities from reaching out to us if they need our help but it is important to remember you should only ever call 999 in an emergency or if a crime is in progress.

"We also have the non-emergency 101 number too, but we receive almost 300,000 calls on this number each year in addition to the 999 calls."

More information can be found at www.wiltshire.police.uk

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